3-042-428 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Way to Calvary; Prayer Book of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, about 1525-1530. Additional Info: With his brutal captors pulling and prodding him along at an inhuman pace, Christ staggers under the weight of his own cross. Despite his efforts to reach Calvary, the site of his Crucifixion, his merciless tormentors force him to move ever faster, ferociously raising their weapons to strike if he should hesitate for even a moment. The brutality of the armed men contrasts with the concern of Christ's family and friends. In a ravine to the right, the Virgin and Saint John lead a group of supporters. At the left, in an especially touching episode, an old man, perhaps Joseph of Arimathea, helps support the cross, thereby easing Christ's burden.